EP0628967B1 - Nuclear fuel rod plugger - Google Patents

Nuclear fuel rod plugger Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0628967B1
EP0628967B1 EP93500081A EP93500081A EP0628967B1 EP 0628967 B1 EP0628967 B1 EP 0628967B1 EP 93500081 A EP93500081 A EP 93500081A EP 93500081 A EP93500081 A EP 93500081A EP 0628967 B1 EP0628967 B1 EP 0628967B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plug
tube
fuel rod
guide
drive
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93500081A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0628967A1 (en
Inventor
Juan Garcia Melgares
Carlos Serrano Sanchez
Igancio Javier Izquierdo Gomez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Empresa Nacional Del Uranio Sa
Original Assignee
Empresa Nacional Del Uranio Sa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=8214871&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0628967(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Empresa Nacional Del Uranio Sa filed Critical Empresa Nacional Del Uranio Sa
Priority to DE69318704T priority Critical patent/DE69318704T2/en
Priority to ES93500081T priority patent/ES2116427T3/en
Priority to EP93500081A priority patent/EP0628967B1/en
Publication of EP0628967A1 publication Critical patent/EP0628967A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0628967B1 publication Critical patent/EP0628967B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B1/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying stoppers
    • B67B1/005—Feeding stoppers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/02—Fuel elements
    • G21C3/04—Constructional details
    • G21C3/06—Casings; Jackets
    • G21C3/10—End closures ; Means for tight mounting therefor
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a system for plugging the ends of fuel rods used in nuclear reactors, the plugger as such being designed to duly guide each plug from the storage phase to its application onto the appropriate end of the tube forming part of the fuel rod, using pneumatic cylinders and a general mobile support which together cause the plug to move and be guided until assembly on the end of the fuel rod or tube, for the plug to be welded to the respective tube, and be fixed thereto.
  • the invention basically comprises a plug loading tube in which the latter is placed manually, and takes up a position due to gravity opposite a pneumatic cylinder which on being activated positions the plug opposite a second vertical pneumatic cylinder which by driving the same positions the plug facing the position of final plugging.
  • Fuel rods used in nuclear reactors comprise tubes the inside of which carry uranium dioxide tablets which are compressed by a spring provided at the top end of the so-called fuel tube or rod, in order then to proceed with the appropriate plugging, viz. applying a plug which compresses such spring and closes the tube, thereby to determine the fuel rod as such, the plug being held on the end of the tube by welding.
  • a nuclear fuel rod plugger as disclosed in the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP-A-0 201 753.
  • the plugs It is vital for the plugs to be impervious and mechanically resistant in order to be able to hold the fissile materials. It is also vital for the interface between the plug and the end of the tube to have no defects such as discontinuity, cracks or distortion of the tube, which could lead to leakage. This same standard must be applied to the tube-plug weld.
  • Plugging the tube is a critical operation due to the high pressure that must be exerted, inasmuch as the positive stress of the spring and the interference there might be between the plug and the tube must be overcome.
  • the said pressure force is usually of around 500 kg, viz. the power to overcome the spring compression and the pressing down of the plug.
  • the plugger subject of the invention can be said to define a system provided to fit a plug on the upper end of a fuel rod of the kind used in nuclear reactors as disclosed in claim 1.
  • the system of the invention comprises two essential and basic parts, one being fixed and the other mobile, both seated on a common base, the fixed part including a pneumatic cylinder which actually provides the mobile part of the mechanism with the horizontal movement, basically plugging.
  • the mobile part carries a seat upon which the plug is positioned, and wherein the protruding end of the spring will be housed together with the end of the tube, the plugging operation taking place subsequently, when the mobile part moves altogether from the furthest to its nearest position, by action of the aforesaid static pneumatic cylinder.
  • both the fixed and the mobile parts are mounted upon a main support which includes a base whose position is fixed, the mobile part, which could be designated a carriage, being provided to slide along cylindrical guides anchored onto the main support, which carriage may take up the end and adjacent positions in respect of the stationary position of the end of the fuel rod, where the plug is to be inserted.
  • the fixed pneumatic cylinder which is the mechanism driving the aforesaid mobile part, includes a rod which will obviously move axially between a stretched and a retracted position to carry out the plugging operations as such.
  • the mobile carriage is fitted with a plug supplying mechanism which places the same automatically on the supply housing and in a plugged position, viz. positioned and in line with the spring and the fuel bar.
  • This plug supplying mechanism has an inclined slide through which the plugs are manually loaded, sliding down due to gravity towards the end of a horizontal positioning pneumatic cylinder which on being activated moves the plug to a position in which it is picked up by another vertical positioning pneumatic cylinder, which in turn pushes the same until it reaches its definitive position, prior to plugging, viz. in line with the definitive pushing cylinder, with the spring and with the fuel rod.
  • stages the plugging process comprises could be summed up as follows:
  • Figure 1.- Is a view of a diagrammatic section of what could be said to be the basic plugging system subject of the invention.
  • Figure 2.- Is a perspective view of what could be said to be a materialised embodiment of the plugging system shown in the above figure.
  • Figure 3.- Is a view of the same plugging system shown in the previous figure, as a side elevation of the assembly with part of it in cross-section, the cross-section being of the elements making up the essential object of the invention.
  • the plugger subject of the invention diagrammatically includes a mobile part (1) and a fixed part (2) so that the mobile part consists of a feeder (3) of plugs (4), a guide (5) upon which a plug is positioned, as number D 1 , taken from such store (3) and which is acted upon by a drive (6) of a horizontal drive cylinder (7), in order for the said guide (5) to communicate with another vertical guide (8) to which each of the plugs (4) is driven, from position D 1 to position D 2 , which drive is carried out precisely by the drive (6) of the cylinder (7).
  • a drive (9) of a vertical drive cylinder (10) acts in this vertical guide (8) to move the relevant plug (4) from position D 2 to position D 3 where a new guide or nozzle (11) is defined horizontally, which faces the respective spring (12) and end of the tube (13) to be plugged, viz. of the fuel rod as such, the latter remaining static while the aforesaid assembly as a whole is mobile, including a tubular part (14) facing the nozzle (11) in which a drive (15) of a pneumatic cylinder (16), which is fixed, also moves.
  • the loader (3) is inclined to foster the dropping or movement due to gravity of the plugs until they reach the guide (5), viz. position D 1 shown in figure 1.
  • the aforesaid mobile assembly which could be said to constitute a carriage, moves along horizontal guides (17) and the whole assembly is positioned on a general fixed support (18) as clearly shown in figure 2.
  • the system is designed on the basis of a careful handling of the plugs and of the fuel rods, and the former, that is to say the system, could be deemed to be semi-automatic, with manual stages and automatic stages, for the manual stages actually include placing the fuel rod (13) in the appropriate position, and loading the plugs (4) in the loader (3), and therefore after positioning the fuel rod (13) and loading the loading tube (3) with plugs (4) the other stages could be said to be automatic and obey a pre-set working cycle.
  • the piston is then taken from the cylinder (16) and with it all of the plugging assembly (1).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
  • Butt Welding And Welding Of Specific Article (AREA)

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a system for plugging the ends of fuel rods used in nuclear reactors, the plugger as such being designed to duly guide each plug from the storage phase to its application onto the appropriate end of the tube forming part of the fuel rod, using pneumatic cylinders and a general mobile support which together cause the plug to move and be guided until assembly on the end of the fuel rod or tube, for the plug to be welded to the respective tube, and be fixed thereto.
The invention basically comprises a plug loading tube in which the latter is placed manually, and takes up a position due to gravity opposite a pneumatic cylinder which on being activated positions the plug opposite a second vertical pneumatic cylinder which by driving the same positions the plug facing the position of final plugging.
In this latter position when a third horizontal pneumatic cylinder, which displaces the whole assembly, including the plug, is activated, it compresses the relevant spring with which it is usually fitted on the top end of the fuel rods and inserts the plug into the tube.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel rods used in nuclear reactors comprise tubes the inside of which carry uranium dioxide tablets which are compressed by a spring provided at the top end of the so-called fuel tube or rod, in order then to proceed with the appropriate plugging, viz. applying a plug which compresses such spring and closes the tube, thereby to determine the fuel rod as such, the plug being held on the end of the tube by welding.
A nuclear fuel rod plugger as disclosed in the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP-A-0 201 753.
It is vital for the plugs to be impervious and mechanically resistant in order to be able to hold the fissile materials. It is also vital for the interface between the plug and the end of the tube to have no defects such as discontinuity, cracks or distortion of the tube, which could lead to leakage. This same standard must be applied to the tube-plug weld.
Plugging the tube is a critical operation due to the high pressure that must be exerted, inasmuch as the positive stress of the spring and the interference there might be between the plug and the tube must be overcome. The said pressure force is usually of around 500 kg, viz. the power to overcome the spring compression and the pressing down of the plug.
It is therefore convenient to use guides to line the plugs with the tube for otherwise possible misalignments or severance would cause strange particles to be deposited in the fuel rod which would affect the mechanical strength of such rods and hence possible later leakage.
Consequently it is particularly important for this plugging stage to perfectly guide the plugs and hold the same within a narrow margin of allowance in order not to cause interference in the system to guide the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The plugger subject of the invention can be said to define a system provided to fit a plug on the upper end of a fuel rod of the kind used in nuclear reactors as disclosed in claim 1.
In this sense it is necessary for the fuel rod to be duly seated and held still during the plugging operation, so that irrespective of these means the system of the invention comprises two essential and basic parts, one being fixed and the other mobile, both seated on a common base, the fixed part including a pneumatic cylinder which actually provides the mobile part of the mechanism with the horizontal movement, basically plugging.
The mobile part carries a seat upon which the plug is positioned, and wherein the protruding end of the spring will be housed together with the end of the tube, the plugging operation taking place subsequently, when the mobile part moves altogether from the furthest to its nearest position, by action of the aforesaid static pneumatic cylinder.
It has also been noted that both the fixed and the mobile parts are mounted upon a main support which includes a base whose position is fixed, the mobile part, which could be designated a carriage, being provided to slide along cylindrical guides anchored onto the main support, which carriage may take up the end and adjacent positions in respect of the stationary position of the end of the fuel rod, where the plug is to be inserted.
The fixed pneumatic cylinder which is the mechanism driving the aforesaid mobile part, includes a rod which will obviously move axially between a stretched and a retracted position to carry out the plugging operations as such.
The mobile carriage is fitted with a plug supplying mechanism which places the same automatically on the supply housing and in a plugged position, viz. positioned and in line with the spring and the fuel bar.
This plug supplying mechanism has an inclined slide through which the plugs are manually loaded, sliding down due to gravity towards the end of a horizontal positioning pneumatic cylinder which on being activated moves the plug to a position in which it is picked up by another vertical positioning pneumatic cylinder, which in turn pushes the same until it reaches its definitive position, prior to plugging, viz. in line with the definitive pushing cylinder, with the spring and with the fuel rod.
Once this position is reached the final plugging movement takes place, in consequence of the movement of the whole carriage through guides located parallel to the position of the fuel bar, and by pneumatic drive by the fixed cylinder.
In short, the stages the plugging process comprises could be summed up as follows:
  • Manual loading of the plugs into the inclined slide.
  • A first positioning of the plug by means of the horizontal pneumatic cylinder.
  • A second positioning of the plug by means of the vertical pneumatic cylinder.
  • Insertion of the spring and the end of the tube in the plug housing and final plugging of the tube.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to provide a fuller description and contribute to the complete understanding of the characteristics of this invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification which, while purely illustrative and not fully comprehensive, shows the following:
Figure 1.- Is a view of a diagrammatic section of what could be said to be the basic plugging system subject of the invention.
Figure 2.- Is a perspective view of what could be said to be a materialised embodiment of the plugging system shown in the above figure.
Figure 3.- Is a view of the same plugging system shown in the previous figure, as a side elevation of the assembly with part of it in cross-section, the cross-section being of the elements making up the essential object of the invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
As can be observed in the figures, the plugger subject of the invention diagrammatically includes a mobile part (1) and a fixed part (2) so that the mobile part consists of a feeder (3) of plugs (4), a guide (5) upon which a plug is positioned, as number D1, taken from such store (3) and which is acted upon by a drive (6) of a horizontal drive cylinder (7), in order for the said guide (5) to communicate with another vertical guide (8) to which each of the plugs (4) is driven, from position D1 to position D2, which drive is carried out precisely by the drive (6) of the cylinder (7). A drive (9) of a vertical drive cylinder (10) acts in this vertical guide (8) to move the relevant plug (4) from position D2 to position D3 where a new guide or nozzle (11) is defined horizontally, which faces the respective spring (12) and end of the tube (13) to be plugged, viz. of the fuel rod as such, the latter remaining static while the aforesaid assembly as a whole is mobile, including a tubular part (14) facing the nozzle (11) in which a drive (15) of a pneumatic cylinder (16), which is fixed, also moves.
The loader (3) is inclined to foster the dropping or movement due to gravity of the plugs until they reach the guide (5), viz. position D1 shown in figure 1.
The aforesaid mobile assembly, which could be said to constitute a carriage, moves along horizontal guides (17) and the whole assembly is positioned on a general fixed support (18) as clearly shown in figure 2.
In accordance with this structure, operation is as follows:
The system is designed on the basis of a careful handling of the plugs and of the fuel rods, and the former, that is to say the system, could be deemed to be semi-automatic, with manual stages and automatic stages, for the manual stages actually include placing the fuel rod (13) in the appropriate position, and loading the plugs (4) in the loader (3), and therefore after positioning the fuel rod (13) and loading the loading tube (3) with plugs (4) the other stages could be said to be automatic and obey a pre-set working cycle.
Now then, once the loader (3) has been loaded the lower plug remains in the position marked D1, with the pneumatic cylinder (7) starting to work thereafter, causing the said plug to move up to position D2, and once the plug has reached such position, the vertical cylinder (10) shall work causing the plug to move up to position D3 in which it shall remain as shown in figure 1.
Once the plug is in position D3 the same faces and is perfectly in line with the spring (12) and with the tube (13) of the fuel rod. It is then when the fixed pneumatic cylinder (16) starts to work to cause the whole plugging assembly generally number (1) to move in order for such movement to bring about the said spring and end of the rod (13) to be housed in the nozzle (11), the relevant plug being driven into the tube (13), pressing the spring (12) all so that the said plug shall be housed in the tube end (13) pressing the spring (12) inside, where the said plug will be fixed by welding.
The piston is then taken from the cylinder (16) and with it all of the plugging assembly (1).

Claims (3)

  1. Nuclear fuel rod plugger, being provided to duly guide the plugs (4) which must close the ends of the tubes (13) making up fuel rods used in nuclear reactors, to house the said plug (4) on the end of the tube (13) in which it is applied, overcoming the force of a relevant spring (12) and precisely provided at the inner end part of the fuel rod tube as such, and comprising a mobile frame (1) which may travel horizontally on parallel guides (17) mounted upon a corresponding general support (18), by the action of a pneumatic cylinder (16) with its corresponding drive element (15), characterised in that in the travelling frame (1) the plugs (4) are individually guided from a loader (3) through a pair of guides (5) and (8) by means of two pneumatic cylinders (7, 10) arranged in said frame (1) until said plugs (4) are arranged in the nozzle (11) through which the fuel tube (13) will be inserted, the plug (4) standing still at all times in such position (D3) with respect to the frame (1), which will move forward to have the end of the tube (13) and spring (12) inserted through the guide (11) until they are coupled to the plug (4).
  2. Nuclear fuel rod plugger, as in the above claims, characterised in that the loader (3) for plugs comprises an inclined tube leading into the respective horizontal guide (5) associated with the horizontal drive cylinder (7), singularly characterised in that the drive (6) associated with such cylinder (7) moves the respective lower plug in the loader (3) through the guide (5) until the vertical guide (8) associated with the vertical drive cylinder (10) is reached, the drive (9) in the latter moving the respective plug until the nozzle (11) is reached, facing the spring and the end of the tube (13).
  3. Nuclear fuel rod plugger, as in the above claims, characterised in that the cylindrical body (14) in which the drive (15) of the pneumatic cylinder (16) corresponding to the fixed part (2) of the assembly moves, constitutes a rear extension of the actual mobile part or frame (1).
EP93500081A 1993-06-11 1993-06-11 Nuclear fuel rod plugger Expired - Lifetime EP0628967B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69318704T DE69318704T2 (en) 1993-06-11 1993-06-11 Device for plugging nuclear fuel rods
ES93500081T ES2116427T3 (en) 1993-06-11 1993-06-11 NUCLEAR FUEL BAR COVERER.
EP93500081A EP0628967B1 (en) 1993-06-11 1993-06-11 Nuclear fuel rod plugger

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93500081A EP0628967B1 (en) 1993-06-11 1993-06-11 Nuclear fuel rod plugger

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0628967A1 EP0628967A1 (en) 1994-12-14
EP0628967B1 true EP0628967B1 (en) 1998-05-20

Family

ID=8214871

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93500081A Expired - Lifetime EP0628967B1 (en) 1993-06-11 1993-06-11 Nuclear fuel rod plugger

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0628967B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69318704T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2116427T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2896909B1 (en) 2006-02-02 2008-04-18 Cogema SPRING MOUNTING DEVICE FOR NUCLEAR FUEL PEN

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4662051A (en) * 1984-12-05 1987-05-05 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Apparatus for applying an end plug to an end of a fuel rod tube
DE3669221D1 (en) * 1985-05-01 1990-04-05 Westinghouse Electric Corp DEVICE FOR ATTACHING AN END CAP TO A CORE FUEL.
JPH02110021A (en) * 1988-10-20 1990-04-23 Tokico Ltd Carrier device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69318704D1 (en) 1998-06-25
ES2116427T3 (en) 1998-07-16
DE69318704T2 (en) 1998-10-15
EP0628967A1 (en) 1994-12-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5016346A (en) Apparatus for applying a bung seal to an electrical lead
CN110961882A (en) Automatic assembling equipment for water temperature sensor module of automobile engine
CN112872688A (en) Automatic welding machine for steel cylinder
EP0628967B1 (en) Nuclear fuel rod plugger
CN108907957A (en) Deburred mechanism for precision component welding center
KR100982297B1 (en) Automated nuclear fuel rods loading bar and loading equipment for a nuclear fuel assembly
CN116786979A (en) Bridge wire of electrode plug and automatic welding device of electrode plug cap and operation method thereof
US4879796A (en) Valve inserting apparatus for an internal combustion engine
US4879795A (en) Valve inserting apparatus for an internal combustion engine
CN214418071U (en) Automatic welding machine for steel cylinder
JPH07120587A (en) Method and device for loading fuel rod into nuclear fuel assembly
CN214776872U (en) Magnetic roller assembling and packaging integrated machine
CN115255794A (en) Aluminum alloy door and window welded platform
US4646431A (en) Device for positioning hair pin springs on plates, more especially for fuel assembly grids
CN213649945U (en) Discharging and collecting device of reduction furnace
CN208913413U (en) Front cover plate direction discernment component for precision component welding center
JPH0551119B2 (en)
CN209021463U (en) Round tube for precision component welding center overturns gripper assembly
CN208992347U (en) Deburred mechanism for precision component welding center
CN209035769U (en) Precision component welds center
CN112630240A (en) Solar cell module rosin joint detection method and device
US4633569A (en) Process and device for positioning hair-pin springs on plate, particularly for fuel assembly grids
KR100775578B1 (en) Automated welding equipment and method for the guide thimble assembly in a nuclear fuel assembly
CN116230275A (en) Fuel pellet assembly system
CN218946572U (en) Automatic welding device for coil wire ends of sensor framework

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE CH DE ES FR GB LI SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950131

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19960112

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE CH DE ES FR GB LI SE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: TROESCH SCHEIDEGGER WERNER AG

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69318704

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19980625

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2116427

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBQ Unpublished change to opponent data

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OPPO

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: FRANCO-BELGE DE FABRICATION DE COMBUSTIBLE

Effective date: 19990219

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

PLBG Opposition deemed not to have been filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009274

PLBL Opposition procedure terminated

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OPPC

26D Opposition deemed not to have been filed

Opponent name: FRANCO-BELGE DE FABRICATION DE COMBUSTIBLE

Effective date: 20000608

PLBM Termination of opposition procedure: date of legal effect published

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009276

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: OPPOSITION PROCEDURE CLOSED

27C Opposition proceedings terminated

Effective date: 20000710

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20010516

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20010726

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20010917

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20020531

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020611

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20020626

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020630

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030101

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20020611

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20030526

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030612

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040227

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20040604

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040630

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: S.A. *EMPRESA NACIONAL DEL URANIO

Effective date: 20040630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050613

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20050613